Evelyn Partners has agreed to sell Evelyn Partners Financial Services (EPFS), its employee benefits consultancy arm, to Howden, the global insurance intermediary group.
The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2026.
Evelyn Partners said the sale is part of its strategic decision to “refocus solely on wealth management” and follows on from the sales of its Professional Services and Fund Solutions businesses, both of which completed earlier this year.
EPFS supports a high-quality client list and offers advice on group risk and healthcare benefits, employee engagement and communications services, as well as wellbeing and ancillary benefit packages.
EPFS’s team of 38 professionals, located in London, Bristol, Glasgow and Guildford, and led by Gareth Sawyer, head of employee benefits, will transfer across to Howden in Q1 2026.
Sawyer will report to Cheryl Brennan, managing director of Howden Employee Benefits, following completion of the acquisition.
In April 2025, Howden completed its acquisition of UK professional services consultancy, Barnett Waddingham.
Evelyn Partners CEO Paul Geddes said: “The sale of our employee benefits consultancy further streamlines Evelyn Partners’ range of activities as part of our strategic decision to focus solely on wealth management.
“This transaction follows on from the successful sales of our Professional Services and Fund Solutions businesses, both of which completed earlier this year.
“Howden will be a great long-term owner of this business, providing new opportunities for our employee benefits team and continuity of the services they provide to clients.
“I would like to thank the team for the contribution they have made to our business over many years and wish them well for the future as part of Howden.”
Brennan added: “EPFS bring a highly experienced team with an excellent reputation and a culture that mirrors our own.
“This acquisition reinforces Howden’s investment in our market-leading, full-service employee benefits proposition, strengthening our ability to deliver fresh thinking and trusted advice for corporates seeking a global employee benefits broker with a client-first approach.
“We’re delighted to welcome the EPFS team and to build on our strong relationship with the wider Evelyn Partners group as we continue to grow our scale and impact in the corporate health and benefits market.”
